Written by: Engr. Myrckho Miguell A. Mendoza
Edited by: Asst. Prof. Marilyn C. del Barrio and Engr. Ruen Rey R. Sazon
A University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE) graduate garnered First Place (87.30% rating) in the list of successful examinees while UPLB ranked Fifth in the list of Top Performing schools in the May 2024 Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination. As announced by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), UPLB had an overall passing rate of 84.62% (22 passed out of 26 takers).
The May 2024 Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination was held last May 14, 15, and 16, 2024 in various satellite testing centers administered by the PRC, which included Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Lucena. The PRC Board of Chemical Engineering reported a national passing rate of 68.97% (640 passers out of 928 examinees). The exam was administered by the current Professional Regulatory Board of Chemical Engineering headed by its chairman Hon. Ofelia V. Bulaong, and members Hon. Shirlyn B. Chua-Reyes, and Hon. Cezar S. dela Cruz.
The oath taking ceremony of the Chemical Engineering Licensure Examination passers was held last July 4, 2024, at The Manila Hotel Tent City, One Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila. The program included awarding of the examinee-passers who garnered the top places, led by Engr. Miguel Siapno Bungalon, magna cum laude, who garnered First Place.
In his privilege speech, Engr. Bungalon gave thanks to his family and friends for the support throughout his journey to date. According to him, he had early ambitions to be a topnotcher. However, as he was preparing for the examinations, he realized that he just needed to focus on the things that only he himself can manipulate or control – a principle he learned in Process Control. He addressed his fellow newly minted chemical engineers that their new journey will be filled with multiple events that are more stressful than they had ever encountered. He also imparted a reminder that if one does not meet his/her goals, it does not mean that you are not doing the best of your capabilities – it is simply the essence of living. Nevertheless, one must keep on persevering and work hard for the things that we want to achieve in life – be it for our own personal being or for our own families, and above all else, for the betterment of our country.
The program also included the awarding of the top performing schools in the recently conducted licensure examination. The plaque awarded to UPLB DChE, in recognition of this achievement, was received by the current Chairman of UPLB DChE, Asst. Prof. Denise Ester S. Sanchez, and the current Dean of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT), Prof. Rex B. Demafelis.
In her acceptance speech, Asst. Prof. Sanchez thanked all their former students, now newly minted chemical engineers, whose hard work and efforts contributed to the achievement for the Department and the University. She also thanked all the faculty and staff who have tirelessly guided and taught the students, and that their sacrifice and dedication to their work is invaluable. She thanked the family and friends for the love and support that gave inspiration and strength to the students towards this achievement. She also mentioned that the award symbolizes the dedication and unity of all the academic staff and hopes that they continue to be an inspiration and guide to the field of Chemical Engineering and to the local communities. She addressed all the newly minted chemical engineers to be reminded of the fact that this is only the beginning of their journey, and that they continue to pursue knowledge, and be reminded of their responsibilities to the country.